Nails of the Day: Essie Need a Vacation

Hello Gorgeous!

This weekend while my husband and I were out shopping, we stopped into my local Ulta so I could pick up a few things. I asked my hubs to pick out a nail polish color he liked for my nails and he picked out the color Need a Vacation by Essie. Normally I wouldn’t wear this color as I usually go for really pale pinks, but after painting my nails, the color grew on me and I really like it. Essie describes the color as a bubble gum pink. And I love the Essie description: “ticket. passport. polish. pack up this bubble gum pink nail color and make a dash for the airport – this gorgeous lacquer is all the wardrobe you need”. All you need is two thick coats and the color is flawless.

With this polish, I picked up a new nail product that I am super excited to tell you about and that is Orly Bonder which is a rubberized basecoat. This basecoat prevents nail polish from rubbing off and chipping. Orly claims it will prevent chipping for up to two weeks. I am not sure about that claim, but I am on day 4 of my manicure and my nails are still in perfect condition (usually I have small chips by day 2 of my manicure). This basecoat seemed to give my nails the same effect as a gel manicure and I highly recommend picking up this product and using it each time you paint your nails to prolong your manicures and pedicures. You can purchase Orly Bonder at Sally Beauty or Ulta (I noticed this was much cheaper at Sally Beauty).

On top of my nails, I used my favorite top coat which is Orly Sec ‘N Dry which dries all layers of polish quickly. This is by far my favorite top coat and I will not paint my nails without it. Usually I find top coats to be thick and sticky, but this one goes on like silk and dries my nails within minutes! It is simply the best top coat and I highly recommend it.

Happy Monday my Loves… Have a great week!

Your beauty addict,

Trisha

XO

Flawless Skincare Routine – Simple Steps to a Flawless Face

Hello Gorgeous!

Great skin is smooth, even toned, and dewy. To get those results, you need an effective daily skincare routine in place.

My journey to flawless skin is an evolving process. People ask me often what products I use so I thought I would share my current routine and products with you.

Everyone’s skin type and concerns are different and I know that I probably put a lot of products on my skin (I am a total product junkie), but I am really loving my current results from my nightly routine and I hope you will too.

Nightly Skincare Routine – Simple Steps to a Flawless Face:

• To remove all my makeup and surface debris from the day, I use Neutrogena make-up remover cleansing towelettes (love these)

• To deep clean and improve skin texture and prepare for product absorption, I use Ulta’s Dual Action Cleansing System (I bought this instead of the Clarisonic cleansing system to save some money and I LOVE it–highly recommend it). This little gadget really minimizes pores and helps to improve so many other skin concerns.
  

• You want to use a gentle face wash/cleanser with the cleansing system. You can use any product you like as long as it is gentle (you do not want to use an exfoliating face product with the cleansing system because it will be too harsh when paired together). I am currently using Soap & Glory’s Peaches and Clean 4-in-1 wash off deep cleansing milk.

• I wash off the extra product from my face by using an extra gentle cleansing sponge (the cleansing system tends to get messy and the face sponge really comes in handy).

Now it’s time for the fun stuff… Skincare products! My new favorite line for face care is Kiehl’s!

• Once my face is squeaky clean, I apply two products together.

First I add Kiehl’s Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate to my face

Second, directly after I apply the above concentrate, I apply Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate

When I pair these two products together, I achieve amazing results! It feels great on my skin and the next morning my face always looks flawless!

• Lastly, don’t forget eye cream! I use Travel Size StriVectin-SD Eye Concentrate for Wrinkles

And there you have it, my flawless skincare routine. Just stick with it and the results will be well worth the extra five minutes each day.

XOXO

Your beauty addict,

Trisha

Dermaplaning and Glycolic Acid Peel to Reveal Younger Looking Skin

Hello Gorgeous!

Recently I pampered myself and went to my favorite medical spa to get a Glycolic Acid Peel (my favorite medical facial). During my consultation with one of the spa’s licensed aesthetician’s, I was introduced to something I had never heard about before called Dermaplaning. I immediately thought this had to do with Microdermabrasion, but it is a completely different treatment so I was instantly intrigued to learn more.

What I learned: Dermaplaning is a non-traumatic method of skin rejuvenation, a “manual exfoliation” performed using a scalpel (yes, a real surgical blade is used) on the skin and is sometimes referred to as skin blading because you’re essentially blading the skin’s top layers, fine facial hair (peach fuzz), and skin imperfections. This treatment also stimulates new skin development. Dermaplaning removes the out-most layers of dead skin cells leaving the skin immediately smooth, supple, and vibrant. Dermaplaning (or skin blading) is generally most effective right before a facial because it helps to enhance the absorption of chemical peels and treatments. Sounds a little scary, doesn’t it?! This process is painless and very safe. There is no down time associated with this treatment. Dermaplaning can be done as often as every two weeks, although it is usually done when fine facial hair starts to grow back, which is generally in one month’s time. And NO, despite popular belief, the hair does NOT grow back thicker! Usually, you can see a difference in the skin after the first treatment (I did) and all skin types can benefit from Dermaplaning.

My treatment experience at the medical spa (what to expect): After the licensed aesthetician finished Dermaplaning my face (which only took about 10-15 minutes and my face felt amazing afterwards), she prepped my face for a facial. She used 30% medical grade glycolic acid and left the peel on for 2 minutes (if I wouldn’t have done the Dermaplaning, the peel would be left on for 3 minutes). This facial peel is not painful, but you will experience a mild degree of tingling or a slightly itchy sensation. Usually the aesthetician will fan your face to help with the sensation you may experience, but upon neutralizing the peel, the skin feels fresh and smooth without discomfort. After my facial she used my favorite face lotion Nia24 to complete my treatment (to learn more about Nia24 CLICK HERE and read my full review). My face felt and looked flawless after Dermaplaning and the Glycolic peel (better than it did when just getting a Glycolic peel done on its own).

Benefits of a medical facial peel: Now you may be wondering what the benefits are from a Glycolic peel. Medical spa facials are used to improve a wide variety of skin conditions that include fine lines and wrinkles, uneven pigmentation, sun-damaged skin, freckling, age spots, scaring, and help eliminate blackheads. Treatments stimulate production of collagen and improve the elasticity of skin resulting in smooth, supple and vibrant skin for a youthful and radiant glow. Medical peels also improve the tone, texture, smoothness and appearance of skin. This medical peel on a periodic basis helps to maintain skin health and appearance.

What to expect AFTER a chemical peel: It is important to remember that everyone’s skin is different and will react differently to chemical peels. After a chemical peel, the skin will look a little sunburned. Depending on the strength of the peel and skin sensitivity, redness may fade within hours or last up to a week. Skin may lightly peel (microscopic peeling) over the next 1 to 14 days and new skin will appear. Your skin may feel dry and flake a bit. There isn’t any downtime needed with glycolic acid peels, so you can still go to work or out to a social event shortly after the peel. The small amount of side effects of the peel can usually be covered up with makeup. After a glycolic acid peel, you might not see the expected results immediately. This doesn’t mean the peel didn’t work! It simply takes time for your skin to recover and heal from the peel, so it will take time for your skin to show any improvements. Your skin will usually look better a week after you get the peel. If, however, your skin still doesn’t look any better after a few weeks, you might have to get a stronger peel the next time. It is also very important to keep in mind that sun exposure after a chemical peel can cause unwanted side effects, including hyperpigmentation, so you should stay out of the sun for a least a few days and be sure to use good SPF.

Dermaplaning and a Glycolic medical peel is truly my new favorite combination of treatments. The exfoliation process is fool-proof and overall, I think Dermaplaning the skin is a great way to treat your face before a facial as it really enhances the absorption of peels since it removes the dead skin cells and stimulates the surface of the skin, skin formulations are absorbed more efficiently and results are remarkably improved with this added benefit. And don’t be afraid that the hair will grow in thicker. It won’t. Only flawless skin will be revealed!

Remember that these types of treatments should be done by professionals only. A consultation is essential. Your dermatologist/aesthetician will take in account and discuss complete medical history with you to determine what treatments will be most beneficial. Your medical history can have a tremendous effect on what you see after a chemical peel. After a consultation and a physical exam that includes a close look at your skin, your dermatologist/aesthetician will tell you if a chemical peel will help diminish the signs of aging that concern you and if a chemical peel is right for you.

Your Beauty Addict,

Trisha

Xo

Agadir Argan Oil Spray Treatment Review

Hi Gorgeous!

Last weekend I went to the salon and discovered two new hair products that I just love! First, I had my hair colored with Redken Shades EQ Color Cream for the first time (I loved the original Redken Shades EQ liquid, but the cream is much better and I am never going back to the liquid). Redken Shades EQ Cream is a gentle no-lift, no-ammonia hair color cream which provides rich, radiant color and stunning shine and it’s enriched with pomegranate oil and rice protein which makes it extremely conditioning for your hair. I am going to do a full review and ‘How To’ on my beauty blog about this product soon, but today I want to tell you about the second product I found amazing!

After getting my hair colored and deep conditioned at the salon, I was introduced to a new Argan Oil spray for hair. It is called Agadir Argan Oil Spray Treatment. At first, I didn’t think anything of this product as I have tried so many different Argan Oil hair products and I already have Argan Oil that I adore and use daily on my hair (Milk_Shake Glistening Argan Oil) so I left the salon without purchasing this product. Later that day, I couldn’t help but keep touching my hair as it felt so soft and I kept looking in the mirror as my hair never looked healthier. I also received many compliments on how shiny and healthy my hair looked from strangers throughout the day. So, I decided to find this product online and try it out on my own and it is amazing! I accomplished the same look I got from the salon at home by myself! My hair looks and feels soft, shiny, and healthy without being weighed down by oil. It smells good too. And by purchasing the product online and not in the salon, I saved a lot of money. In salons this product runs about $30-$45, but I found it on Amazon for $15 and this included shipping, plus it came with two free samples to try from Agadir. I really like that this Argan Oil is a spray because the formula is much lighter than any other Argan Oil I have tried in the past. With that being said, it doesn’t weigh my hair down at all or make it look greasy. It is perfect for my long, fine hair and I highly recommend it.

Description: Agadir Argan Oil Spray Treatment instantly repairs and adds elasticity to dry, damaged, frizzy hair. This leave-in Agadir Spray Treatment is ideal for applying to longer hair lengths for ease in coverage, enabling protection from heat appliances and a smoother, comb through. Alcohol free shine spray that provides humidity resistance, protective sunscreen, and is enriched with anti-oxidants, Vitamin E, and Omega-9. Lightweight formula provides 24 hour lasting shine. Formulated with 100% pure certified Argan Oil.

• Nourishing and shine enhancing
• Protects from heat styling and UV damage
• Repairs, smoothes and strengthens
• Spray version for easier coverage on longer hair
• Does not build up on the hair
• Hair Type: All Hair Types
• Used For: Strengthening, Protection
• Product Form: Spray
• Capacity (volume): 5.1 Oz.

Suggested Usage: Spray evenly on damp hair. Massage into damp hair. Style. Spray lightly on dry hair for a silky, shiny finish.

Active Ingredients: Cyclotetrasiloxane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Cyclohexasiloxane, Phenyl Trimethicone, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil (Argan), Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Fragrance (Parfum)

Not tested on animals.

Made in the USA

This is an excellent product for all hair types and I highly recommend it. If you haven’t tried Agadir Argan Oil Spray Treatment, give it a try! You will not be disappointed.

What is your favorite Argan Oil for hair?

XO

Trisha

Josie Maran Argan Infinity Intensive Creamy Oil Review

Hello Gorgeous!

I love argan oil, especially from Josie Maran, because it is such a multitasking beauty product. Josie Maran recently came out with a cream version of her beloved argan oil (well ‘creamy oil’) which gives you more control over application than an oil provides. I tried this creamy oil after I gave myself a facial and it made my face softer, smoother, healthy looking and it quickly absorbed into my skin. I just love how hydrating this is without being oil. It is perfect to use on your entire body – you can apply this cream oil to the ends of your hair, lips, dry spots, face, hands, feet, cuticles and even under your eyes. Even though it is creamy oil, I still think it is too greasy to use before applying makeup. If you want to put it on your face, I suggest using it at night as a treatment (unless you have extremely dry, flaky skin) and you will wake up glowing. This has a soft tangerine scent that’s very light and it doesn’t seem to irritate my skin at all or clog my pores.

***The best part… You can get a FREE deluxe mini of Josie Maran Argan Infinity Intensive Creamy Oil online from Sephora (while supplies last) with any  $25 or more purchase (just add online code INFINITY)! It comes in a cute pink box and it’s .5fl. oz. which is a great size to test out the product. Sephora is the best!

What it is:
An innovative 99%-natural creamy oil with an infinite number of uses such as hydrating skin, conditioning lips, and illuminating complexion.

What it does:
One creamy oil, infinite possibilities. This makeup-artist must-have delivers all the moisturizing benefits of argan oil in a portable, non-greasy, creamy oil form. The innovative formula starts as a cream and melts into an oil, making your complexion more luminous while tightening facial contours and preventing inflammation. Use it to hydrate and gently soothe under eyes, smooth flyaways, keep eyebrows in place, and condition lips. Mix it with powder blush or eye shadow to instantly transform it into a cream.

Suggested Usage:
Use Argan Infinity Cream to:
-Deeply moisturize dry areas of the face.
-Soothe irritated skin caused by rosacea, wind, or sunburn.
-Soften elbows, heels, and other rough patches.
-Keep stray eyebrows in place.
-Smooth flyaways.
-Moisturize at night.
-Prevent razor burn and irritation.
-Prevent skin dehydration during airline travel.
-Apply as a lip conditioner before lipstick.
-Apply over lip stain for a silky finish.
-Lightly dab on eyelids before applying eye shadow.
-Apply before or after using cheek stain to improve blendability.
-Transform powder eye shadow or pigment into a cream by mixing with Infinity Cream.
-Mix with a powder luminizer to create a light, shimmery lip balm.
-Use as a subtle face highlighter to illuminate cheekbones, lips, and brow bones.
-Mix with a powder blush to create a silky cream blush or colored lip balm.
-Hydrate and plump dry, swollen under eyes.
-Apply to fingertips and toes to hydrate and soften cuticles.
-Quench skin post-sunburn.

Where to buy: Sephora, QVC, and online from Josie Maran

Price: $28 (for a 2.2 oz)

I really like the way my skin feels when using this product and I think everyone can find a use for this extremely multitasking tube of creamy oil and as Josie Maran put it “One creamy oil, infinite possibilities”.

How will you use it?

XOXO

Trisha

75 Beauty Tips Every Girl Should Know

Hello Gorgeous!

How beautiful you look and feel will affect your self-confidence, social interactions, work performance and overall health. While true beauty comes from within, below are 75 important tips you can add into your daily beauty routine to keep yourself healthy–on the inside and the outside.

1. Smile often. A woman is most beautiful when she smiles.
2. Vitamin C has long been known to prevent aging. Pack your fruit basket with lemons and oranges to look youthful.
3. Eating guava, carrot, apple and cucumber regularly can prevent yellowing of teeth.
4. Massage sesame oil on your heels overnight if you have cracked heels.
5. Strengthen your hair and nails with daily supplementation with vitamin biotin.
6. Retinoid skin creams used regularly in consultation with skin expert help reduce wrinkles as well as stretch marks.
7. Exfoliating your facial skin daily with a dry brush can help improve circulation, reduce puffiness and eliminate dead skin.
8. Cracked heels are mainly because of poor foot hygiene and wearing tight foot wear.
9. Keep your feet soft and get rid of the cracks by simply wearing cotton socks at night.
10. Make sure you remove your mascara before going to bed. Allowing it to stay on your lashes can cause them to break.
11. For lustrous hair, regularly massage your scalp with oil and load up on vegetables and fruits
12. A healthy diet, exercise and staying hydrated are best for fighting cellulite
13. Massage some almond oil into your eyelashes each night to help them grow thicker and longer.
14. Use a wide toothed comb to evenly spread the conditioner through your hair.
15. To look slimmer in pictures, don’t face the camera head on. Look at it at a three-quarter angle with 1 shoulder facing forward
16. A brighter blush shade can help you look younger in contrast to a dull shade which can make your face look muddy.
17. Use a colorless lip balm before putting on lipstick or gloss. It helps provide an even and crack free surface for smoother application.
18. Fruits and vegetables, soy, cocoa and fish can help you look younger and stay fit as well.
19. Nail biting can be due to stress and boredom. Get over it with yoga, meditation, deep breathing, or squeezing a stress ball.
20. Always wash your face after a workout. Sweat can clog pores and worsen acne.
21. Use lukewarm water while washing your hair. This allows the scalp to retain moisture and prevents hair from looking lifeless.
22. Apart from being great for your heart, green tea with all its anti-oxidants is superb for your skin
23. Avocados reduce the damage caused by UV rays and can be used in face masks as well
24. A ripe papaya left on the skin for 30 minutes help tone up the skin considerably and reduces the appearance of wrinkles.
25. Overzealous scrubbing of face can make you look older. Make sure you’re gentle.
26. Having your coffee later in the afternoon rather than first thing in the morning can help you feel fresher through the day.
27. De-stress daily. It can be the key to a healthier body, skin and hair.
28. Expressing gratitude for every small thing you have can be a great way to feel good.
29. Your outlook on life and what you choose to do with it account for 40% of your happiness; this includes friendships and work.
30. Live with love! 20 minutes of talking and being with your partner daily makes you healthier and happier.
31. Brush hair from roots to ends nightly. This distributes natural oils throughout the hair shaft and gives hair a healthy sheen.
32. Treat your eye area gently. This is the most delicate part of your face. Cleanse with care; blot, never rub.
33. Always use your ring finger to apply moisturizer or concealer to the eye area. It puts the least amount of pressure on the skin.
34. Don’t touch your face unnecessarily. Breakouts can be caused by your own fingers.
35. To stop makeup from fading during the day, apply a primer before your foundation.
36. Get lips soft and smooth by using a damp, warm washcloth at night to rub off the flaky dry bits; follow with a coat of lip balm.
37. The best time to apply lotion is right after a shower or bath, when skin is still damp.
38. Beautiful skin starts from within. Include lots of vegetables, fruit and water in your daily diet.
39. Exfoliate with a body scrub once a week to slough off dead skin cells that make skin look dull. When skin is freshly exfoliated, lotion and oil are better absorbed.
40. Improve circulation in your legs and lower the risk of unsightly veins by elevating your feet when resting.
41. Apply polish starting at the pinky, working toward the thumb to avoid dragging your hand across wet nails.
42. To prevent hair color from fading, use a deep conditioning treatment weekly or bi-monthly.
43. Make sure you hydrate your skin and put on a face primer
44. The #1 reason for flaky mascara is that the formula is too dry or old. Make sure to close mascara after use to help keep its moisture.
45. For clear skin, look for a cleanser with salicylic acid.
46. Sunscreens that claim to provide “all-day protection” and “water resistance” are not reliable; don’t be fooled by these claims and reapply all sunscreens at least every two to three hours.
47. When self-tanning, use a tanner with color. It will give you instant color before the effect and it will show you exactly where you put the color and where you may have missed.
48. For the summer months, you don’t want to be caked down in foundation so try a tinted moisturizer instead.
49. To make curls last, make sure hair is completely dry before you begin with the curling iron.
50. Always wash your makeup off before bed. That morning-after look has never been a good one, for anyone.
51. Always use a moisturizer with SPF in the morning. Even in the winter!
52. Clean out your makeup bag at least once a year to get rid of old products that may be expired or you no longer use.
53. Remember, always use clean makeup brushes to fight against potential bacteria and breakouts!
54. During the summer, wear chapstick or lip gloss with SPF.
55. Use your concealer as a base on your eyelids.
56. Exfoliate before applying self tanner to get rid of dead skin. Tanning products tend to cling to drier areas.
57. To minimize pores, use a pore-minimizing facial wash followed by a toner. Make sure the toner is alcohol-free so it won’t dry out your skin.
58. The healthier you are, the healthier your hair! Take a daily multivitamin with Biotin to help hair grow.
59. Get a “dewy glow” using a highlighter or illuminator above your cheekbones and on the brow bone.
60. To contour cheeks, use a matte powder (a few shades darker than your skin tone) with an angled brush. Blend on temples and under cheekbones.
61. When using a cream product, lock it in by using a translucent powder over it.
62. For makeup that lasts all day and night, use a makeup-sealing product/setting spray.
63. To help you find the right shade of foundation, choose the product you think is closest to your color and try it on your jaw line in natural light. You will be able to easily compare it to your neck’s color to see if you need to go for a different undertone, lighter or darker.
64. Splurge on items that are important to you. If lip gloss is really your thing and you fall in love with a gloss that‘s $40, buy the lip gloss and treat yourself.
65. To reduce unwanted shine, use a moisturizer that mattifies your face, that way you get the moisture your skin needs without looking greasy.
66. Use a clarifying shampoo once a week to get rid of any product build-up that may have occurred during the week.
67. Use a pumice stone on your feet after you shower to keep your feet baby smooth.
68. Hydrate your under-eye area with an eye cream to prevent puffiness and bags.
69. If you often find yourself being too tired to wash your face at night, keep makeup removing wipes in your night stand to prevent a runny mess or morning break out.
70. The best way to get rid of ingrown hairs is to exfoliate, which rids the skin of dead cells and allows the hair to break through the surface.
71. To keep hair color vibrant longer, use shampoos and conditioners formulated for colored hair.
72. Drink plenty of water daily.
73. Bronze all over for a natural glow.
74. Protect your skin from the sun everyday.
75. Be yourself and enjoy your life!

XOXO

Trisha